Thompson Center Arms buildings coming down fast

Wednesday

Jan 23, 2013 at 3:15 AMJan 23, 2013 at 3:05 PM

ROCHESTER — Since a permit was granted to the new owner of the former Thompson Center Arms property on North Main Street in early January, demolition has begun though the city has yet to receive construction plans for the future.

By Samantha Allensallen@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — Since a permit was granted to the new owner of the former Thompson Center Arms property on North Main Street in early January, demolition has begun though the city has yet to receive construction plans for the future.

The former gun manufacturing facility officially sold on Dec. 19 by Smith & Wesson to a purchaser listed as 400 North Main St. LLC for $1,150,000. The buyer listed on paperwork of the 13.1 acre site is Anthony Dilorenzo, of Key Auto Center of Somersworth, who declined to comment on the demolition's progress Tuesday afternoon.

E. Molly Stark, a hydrogeologist and project manager at the state Department of Environmental Services (DES), previously confirmed Dilorenzo intends to open a car dealership on the site and Rochester Deputy City Manager and Director of Community Development Karen Pollard said there may also be plans to utilize the additional space for retail businesses.

The site, with 12 standing structures, requires some environmental cleanup before it can be redeveloped and Rochester's Department of Building Safety Director Jim Grant confirmed DES has been on-site throughout the demolition to oversee every step of the process. According to Grant, several hazardous materials, including lead dust in the site's two firing range areas, as well as chlorinated solvents and oil in the groundwater, are among problems that need to be addressed. There is also asbestos in some of the building walls but Grant said the previous contamination is fairly minimal.

“Surprisingly, this site has very little contamination, considering the history of this site,” he said.

Pollard said Whitcher Builders is serving as contractor for the project and has indicated the buyer will look to bring in other businesses, though nothing has formally been submitted to the city Planning Board.

“They will have some additional space beyond the car dealership so they are in the process of looking for tenants that would co-locate in that space,” she said, noting all plans are in the early stages.

She noted the site currently stands in an industrial zone and will need to be rezoned to a commercial use district. Once preliminary plans are received and reviewed from the buyer, the Planning Board will hold hearings on layout and consider the site's impact on the surrounding area including its effects on traffic patterns. Pollard said she expects to receive an application before the end of the year, noting the buyer was interested in getting a permit as soon as possible to launch demolition. Grant said a demolition request was received on Jan. 7 and granted on Jan. 8.

“They were so eager to get started on demolition and the site plan but we've only talked in very general terms and we've also discussed the rezoning of the area since that of course would make a difference to the future development,” Pollard said.

She said Rochester City Council will likely review a package of recommendations from the Planning Board in February to alter some existing zoning, which will include a recommendation to change the area near North Main Street and the former Thompson Center Arms site.

“That's a very busy corridor and it's ideal for commercial development,” she said. “It's very attractive for that so that is part of the recommendation now, to change the zoning from industrial to commercial in that area.”